Chapter 170

After Old Father Xia left, Wang Yicha took out the name list that he had crossed off countless times and began to ponder it from beginning to end. Every name on the list represented an identity and a background. Every cross off represented a contest behind the scenes and Wang Yicha weighed the pros and cons of making a choice.

Wang Yicha felt that it was inappropriate to cross off anyone. Guizhou had been under the control of the chieftains since ancient times. From the Qin, Han, Tang, and Song dynasties until now, this had never changed. If he wanted to stand firm in Guizhou, he would need the support of these chieftains who had thousands of years of inheritance. How could he offend one of them?

After thinking for a while, Wang Haoming set his gaze on the five names that had truly relied on their knowledge and ability to get in. Among the five, he had already seen Xu Boyi today and had a good impression of him. Even though no one had greeted him, he knew that Xu Boyi was a member of the Tian family.

If a member of the Tian family did not pass the exam, then so be it. Since they had fought their way into the "top five" based on their ability, he did not dare to casually cross off the names. Even though he was the main examiner, there were still two assistant examiners. If someone leaked this information, he would definitely offend the Tian family. So, he circled Xu Boyi's name and stared at the other four names.

These four people were all ordinary scholars with no power, no influence, and no background. Wang Haoming deliberated for a long time and randomly chose a name that didn't sound too good. With a gentle stroke of his pen, this fish that had just made the great leap was beaten back to the mundane world by him.

Wang Haoming wrote "Ye Xiaotian" one stroke at a time above the name that he had erased. He placed his brush on the mountain of brush and leaned back on the official hat chair, letting out a long breath.

Old Father Xia had already promised that he would greet the chieftains, but since only one spot was given up, the chieftains would have to fight over it and the fight would be even more intense. He decided not to offend anyone and let Ye Xiaotian take up the spot of a scholar with no background. When the time came, no matter which chieftain decided to give up a spot, it would be a favor from him.

Wang Haoming lightly tapped on the armrest of the chair. After making up his mind, he suddenly thought of Cui Xiangsheng. Just now in the carriage, he had said some harsh words. In the end, not only did Ye Xiaotian not lose his Elementary Scholar title, he became a High Scholar. How could he explain this to his old friend?

Wang Haoming thought for a while and got up to go to Cui Xiangsheng's courtyard. Cui Xiangsheng had just finished bathing. He was dressed in a Daoist robe, and his hair was tied into a bun. He was sitting cross-legged on the couch and was brewing some Kung Fu Tea.

This Kung Fu Tea was manifested in the three processes of water, fire, and rush. Water and fire were all about the word 'live'. Live water, live fire. The water that Cui Xiangsheng used was the spring water that he asked the manservant to carry from the top of the mountain. It was made of high-quality black olive core charcoal, and on top of the red clay stove was a simple and unadorned purple clay teapot.

Seeing Wang Haoming come in, Cui Xiangsheng smiled and said, "Brother Haoming has long legs. I just finished brewing this tea and you arrived. Come, come, please take a seat."

Wang Haoming did not stand on ceremony. He took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the couch. Cui Xiangxian ordered the servant to bring a chessboard and placed the black and white chess pieces on the table. The two of them played while sipping their tea.

When the chess game gradually reached a stalemate, Wang Haoming picked up a chess piece and said to Cui Xiangsheng, "Xiangsheng, the High Scholar list will be announced tomorrow. After thinking about it, I have decided to name Ye Xiaotian as a High Scholar."

Cui Xiangxian was sipping his tea when he heard this. He was stunned and asked, "Brother Haoming, why do you say this? Could it be that Ye Xiaotian's essay is so outstanding that it can't be erased? "

Wang Haoming slowly placed a chess piece on the chessboard and said, "His essay is average and not particularly brilliant. But it is still within reason for him to be a High Scholar. Cough! Of course, this is not important. What is important is … I feel that if we remove his Elementary Scholar title, it would be too easy for him. "

Cui Xiangxian frowned and said, "Brother Haoming, I do not understand what you are saying."

Wang Haoming chuckled and said, "Master Xiang, Ye Xiaotian lost his composure in front of the Perching Cloud Pavilion. He was too rude, and word of this quickly spread. If Ye Xiaotian were to fail the rankings, even if he should have failed in the first place, how do you think people would view us?"

Cui Xiangxian was silent as he tried to figure out Wang Haoming's true intentions.

Wang Haoming continued, "Once Tong Ren Zhang Yi hears about the conflict between you and Ye Xiaotian, and that Ye Xiaotian did not pass the examinations, he will think that we are the ones causing trouble. Won't we be offending a local tyrant for no reason? Now, not only will I give him a High Scholar title, I will also make him an official … "

Wang Haoming's face revealed a sinister smile and said, "With his character, once he becomes an official, are you still afraid that he will not cause trouble? When that time comes, who will be able to save him? "

As Wang Haoming said this, he quickly glanced at Cui Xiangxian's expression, afraid that Cui Xiangxian would discover the real reason for his change of heart. He lowered his voice and said, "I have already thought about it. After he passes the High Scholar title, I will arrange for him to be an official in Hulu County.

It has only been three years since the Chieftain was abolished and the officials were replaced. It is very chaotic. Even the most experienced officials will not be able to avoid a setback there, let alone a hothead like him. If he causes trouble there, the Imperial Court will naturally punish him. When that time comes, you and I can watch this arrogant person suffer the consequences of his actions without any effort. "

Cui Xiangxian did not believe Wang Haoming's words to cover up his embarrassment, but he could not think of the real reason. He had just arrived in Guiyang and had the status of a great Confucian scholar. Naturally, other people would not be so bored as to tell him about the romantic affair between Ye Xiaotian and Miss Xia at the meeting of the Flower Stream. Therefore, he could not understand no matter how he thought about it.

… …

Dong Dong stayed at the Xia Mansion for three days before returning. He knew the ins and outs of the Xia Family, but he did not know that Ye Xiaotian did not know about this matter. With his taciturn personality, he would not tell these juniors about his reunion with his old friend. Naturally, Ye Xiaotian would not ask too many questions.

Now that Ye Xiaotian had finished his exams, he had nothing else to do other than travel around with Yingying and Yaoyao every day. Dong Dong, who had returned from the Xia Mansion, took the opportunity to ask Venerable to start practicing the art of Gu. Ye Xiaotian could not refuse, so when he returned today, he was dragged to his room by Dong Dong.

A black jar was placed on the table. It was filled with all kinds of poisonous insects. As soon as they saw light, they began to squirm, making one's scalp go numb.

Dong Dong's shoulders were hunched, his eyes narrowed, and he said to Ye Xiaotian in a gloomy manner, "Venerable, the art of Gu is very complicated, but no matter how complicated it is, you must first be able to refine the Gu. Otherwise, it will be like a tree without roots or water without a source.

Today, I will teach Venerable the method to refine the Gu. To raise different Gu, you need to choose different poisonous insects and place them in a jar according to a certain ratio. Then, you will raise them with fresh blood. If you can raise the Gu, then the first step will be considered a success. Today, Venerable will be refining the Yin Snake Gu. Have you memorized the ratio of the different poisonous insects? "

Ye Xiaotian nodded. Looking at the poisonous insects in the jar, he said in a somewhat creepy manner, "I've memorized it."

Dong Dong smiled slightly, his expression becoming even more sinister, "Good! Later, I will teach Venerable how to identify these different types of insects and how to capture them. Today, we will first learn how to raise the Gu. Venerable, please cut your wrist and let your blood in to raise the Gu. "

Dong Dong handed over a small silver knife. Ye Xiaotian looked at the jar and braced himself to bring the knife closer to his finger. Dong Dong shook his head, "Venerable, cutting your finger won't guarantee that every insect will be able to feed on Venerable's blood. If the one that becomes a Gu doesn't get enough of Venerable's blood to feed, it won't recognize Venerable as its master. It won't be able to use it as it pleases, so you have to cut your wrist. "

Ye Xiaotian grinned, "Cut my wrist? If the blood doesn't stop … "

Dong Dong revealed a mouthful of white teeth and smiled, "Don't worry, Venerable, I have the best medicine for wounds."

Ye Xiaotian said, "Alright, these insects … how many days do I need to feed them?"

Dong Dong said, "Seven days!"

Ye Xiaotian was shocked, "Seven days? Women only bleed once a month, and I need seven days? If this goes on, I'll bleed to death. "

Dong Dong smiled, "That won't happen! We've prepared a lot of food for Venerable to replenish his blood. "

Realization dawned on Ye Xiaotian. "Blood-enriching Qi … I understand now! I was wondering why you've been making me eat sesame and red date porridge every morning, pork liver soup at noon, and fried black fungus with lotus root slices for dinner. You even made me drink some donkey-hide gelatin honey soup before going to bed. It turns out that you're trying to fatten me up before killing me! "

Dong Dong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Venerable, this isn't pig rearing …"

Ye Xiaotian said, "Alright, alright, you don't have to say anymore, I know what to do."

Ye Xiaotian raised the knife in his hand and said, "It doesn't matter whether I stick my head out or not. Since I can't avoid it, let's go all out!"

Ye Xiaotian closed his eyes and cut down with the knife!

Dong Dong coughed and said, "Supreme Lord, it's very difficult to cut your wrist with the back of the knife."

Ye Xiaotian's face heated up, and he flipped the knife over and made a light cut.

Dong Dong said, "Venerable, please pour your blood into the jar. Make sure that every poisonous insect can suck Venerable's blood."

Ye Xiaotian raised his wrist above the jar and watched as the blood dripped into it. Although he wasn't afraid of blood, his legs still felt weak.

Ye Xiao Tian's cut was a little shallow, and only a few drops of blood flowed out before it stopped. Dong Tian repeatedly urged Ye Xiao Tian to do it for him. Ye Xiao Tian had no choice but to harden his heart and make the cut a little bigger. Seeing the blood continuously flow into the jar, Ye Xiao Tian felt his heart ache.

Finally, Dong Dong nodded in satisfaction and said, "It's done!"

Ye Xiaotian hurriedly said, "Then why aren't you helping me apply the medicine and bandage it!"

Dong Dong took the medicine and saw that Ye Xiaotian's hand was still above the jar. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Venerable, there's enough blood."

Ye Xiaotian quickly put his hand in front of him and said unhappily, "I know, I just don't want to waste it."

Dong Dong: "…"

Dong Dong's bandage technique was very skillful, and he quickly applied the medicine and bandaged Ye Xiaotian's wound. Ye Xiaotian thought about the insects sucking his blood in the jar and didn't want to stay in this room. He held his wrist and just walked out of the room, Xia Yingying rushed over.

"Little Brother Tian, come quickly!"

Yingying hurriedly pulled Ye Xiaotian to the side of a big tree and told Ye Xiaotian that her family knew about Ye Xiaotian's identity as Venerable and that they were determined to separate. She said with tears in her eyes, "I don't want to leave you, Little Brother Tian, what should we do?"

"What should we do? What should we do? "

Ye Xiaotian walked around the tree a few times, then suddenly turned to look at Yingying, "Yingying, you really want to follow me, don't you regret it?"

Yingying nodded her head hard, then shook her head hard, and said in a sonorous voice, "I don't regret it!"

Ye Xiaotian said, "Good! Then we … can only cook the rice first. Are you willing to do that? "

"Yes!"

Yingying answered without hesitation, then hesitated for a moment and asked in confusion, "How do we cook it?"